By Renee Worthing 

Staff Writer

When Standish resident Kim Croteau’s mother, Anna Teele, was diagnosed with cancer in 2003, Croteau wanted to do something to support the search for a cure. 

“I knew I wanted to do something from the minute I heard her speak the words, ‘It’s cancer,’ but I just didn’t have it in me at that time,” she said.

After her mother died at age 51 on Jan. 7, 2006, Croteau said she “spiraled out of control” until one morning in December 2006 she woke up with the words “Cure 4 Cancer Concerts” in her head.

“I knew it was time to do something about the horrid disease that takes too many good people away too young,” Croteau said. 

Cure 4 Cancer Concert (C4CC) was created – a series of benefit concerts in memory of Croteau’s mother and a way to raise money for cancer research. Croteau promotes the concerts, gathers items to be raffled off and sends the proceeds to Camp Sunshine and other local cancer charities. The first official concert Oct. 6, 2007 at Memory Lane Dance Hall in Standish sold out before the band “Riot Act” finished its first song, she said.

When Springvale resident and “The Local 109” band member Lisa Willis was perusing MySpace Web sites about six months ago, she happened to notice Croteau’s C4CC MySpace. The site caught Willis’ eye because in 2003 her father, Sanford resident Gerard “Lionel” Lemay was diagnosed with parotid gland cancer, a cancer that strikes in the salivary glands.

She said it is an “unusual” cancer and has resulted in her dad undergoing two rounds of radiation. He is currently on his third round of chemotherapy. He has also undergone three surgeries. In September 2007, he had surgery that included removal of facial nerves on the right side of his face, leaving his face “droopy.”

“It stole his smile and his whistle,” Willis said.

Willis said her dad was an avid outdoorsman who always whistled. He didn’t drink or smoke, instead finding enjoyment in cooking and eating, but cancer has taken away the pleasure of food and eating, Willis said.

“He’s still happy, but there’s no outward reflection of it. He can’t smile like he used to. His eyes still twinkle though,” she said.

The surgery also required the removal of quite a bit of tissue, distorting his features.

“Sometimes he says he feels like a monster,” she said. “I tell him he’s still handsome to me. He’s my dad.”

She said she often accompanies her dad to his medical appointments at cancer centers in Boston.

“There are millions of people affected by cancer,” she said. “I see so many people fighting this disease. It really affects their quality of life.”

Despite what the cancer and the treatment have taken from Lemay, Willis said her dad chooses to live.

“He loves life and he loves his family,” she said.

Willis said she spends a lot of time with her dad and they spend a great deal of time talking about life.

“He always says, ‘I’ve had pretty good run of it,’” she said.

She said she has always been involved in music and singing. By 2005, she organized The Local 109 for the event. The ensemble included her husband Joe, the band’s original drummer Brian Richards and lead guitarist Tony White. She said Richards had other commitments and time constraints that required him to back out of the band. Waterboro resident Art Stevens auditioned and has been with them since.

She said she has a gift, her musical talent with an acoustic guitar and her voice.

“I’m thankful for the gift I was born with,” she said.

When she saw Croteau’s C4CC MySpace page, Willis sent Croteau a message. The two women began sending messages back and forth. Taking a cue from Croteau, Willis is organizing a local benefit concert at Big Daddy’s in Acton Nov. 8, as part of the C4CC series. She said her father is the inspiration for putting the concert together with Croteau’s help.

“My dad and all the people,” she said.

She said a C4CC concert seemed like a perfect opportunity to not only give back to the community, but to do something meaningful for a matter close to her heart. But, Willis isn’t the only The Local 109 band member whose life has been touched by cancer.

“Art Stevens lost his mom to breast cancer,” she said.

C4CC will also include runner up in the 2008 Battle of the Bands, Rochester band “Chapter 11,” Kennebunk’s “The Lower Village People,” South Portland’s “Road Scholars” and Scarborough’s “Face Down.”   As for her dad, he will attend the event that he inspired.

“It’s not his kind of music, but he’s going,” she said.

Cure 4 Cancer Concert at Big Daddy’s in Acton

(across from the Acton Fairgrounds).

Admission price: $10 per person

5 to 6 p.m. – Sam Anderson Band

6:15 to 7:15 p.m. – Chapter 11

7:30 to 8:30 p.m. – The Lower Village People

8:45 to 9:45 p.m. – Road Scholars

10 to 11 p.m. – The Local 109

11:15 to 12:15 – Face Down